Transfer mechanism



Nov. 23, 1937. L. A. FRAYER 2,100,028

TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed Feb. 27, 1936 4 SheetS-She 1 Nov. 23, 1937. A. PRAYER 2,100,028

TRANSFER MECHANI S M l INVENTOR. f5 A F/'A V59 ATTORNEYS.

BYy

L. A. PRAYER Nov. 2E, i937.

TRANSFER MECHANISM Filed Feb. 27, 1956 4 'SheetS-Sheei'I 4 IN VENTOR. E5 f4. HM YER :au mm @om I ATTORNEYS.'

Patented Nov. 23, 1937 PATENT OFFICE 2400.028 TRANSFER MEcnANlsM Lee A. Frayer, Kent, Ohio, assignor to The Lamson & Sessions Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application February 27,' 1936, Serial No. 66,104

27 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved transfer mechanism of a type suitable for use in connection with various manufacturing machines and processes and particularly usefulf in connection with nut forming machines or the like for transferring blanks'from one station to another.

An object of this invention is to provide transfer mechanism of this type which is more efcient and reliable than the mechanisms hereto- 1U fore available, and which is more adaptable to certain machines and processes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transfer mechanism, vfor use with nut machines or the like, embodying one or more article holders adapted to cooperate with a plurality of stationsand novel mea-ns for supporting and operating such holders.

' Another object of the invention is to provide improved transfer mechanism comprising a plurality of article holders and a support which is movable relative to a plurality of stations to move the holders into and out of article receiving and discharging positions adjacent the stations, and wherein'the holders are themselves movable relative to their support for traversing thedistance between stations.

Still another object of the invention is to prov vide improved transfer mechanism having a plurality of work holders adapted to cooperate with stations and novel means for supporting and operating the holders comprising a support movable toward and from the stations and means mounting at least some of the holders for swinging movement on such support.

vide improved apparatus, of the type referred to, having stations at least one of which is offset relative to the others and having arcuately Vmov-- able article holders and holder actuating means including means for moving one of the holders through a different arcuate distance than the others to cooperate with the relatively offset station.

This invention also contemplates the provision of an improved transfer mechanism for work stations wherein an article holder is pivoted substantially midway between a pair of stations and traverses the distance therebetween by swinging movement. l

lIt is also an object of this invention to provide novel transfer mechanism whichf automatically reverses or inverts a blank in transferring the saine from one station to another.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved transfer mechanism for use in con- Yet another object of this invention is to pro- (Cl. lil-12) nection with a plurality of stations, such mecha.- nism being in the form of a head comprising a plurality of holders and means for supporting and operating such holders, and wherein the head is movable as a unit into and out of opera- 6 `'tive relation to the stations.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction'with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein l0 Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my transfer mechanism, looking toward the stations or "dies with which the mechanism cooperates and with parts of the mechanism broken away;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism; 15

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing, more or less diagrammatioally, the relative arrangement of holders an'd stations;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the 20 mechanism taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a partial elevational view looking toward the stations or dies and showing a modied form of my transfer mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view similar to that of Fig. 4,` but taken through the modified apparatus of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is aV partial plan view, more or less diagrammatic in form, and showing still another modified form of my transfer mechanism.

My improved transfer mechanism, as will now be explained more in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, is adapted for use with processes or machines having a plurality of stations, and while I have shown the mechanism 35 as applied to a nut forming machine, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to this particular use but that the mechanism may be applied to other machines and processes.

As shown in the drawings, the machine to which my improved transfer mechanism may be applied may have a frame I5 in a part of which a suitable ram or slide I6 is operable. 0 Suitable dies or punches I 'I may be carried on the ram for 45 cooperation with a series of stations or dies I8 mounted in a die block I 8a which is supported on a part of the frame I5. The stations may comprise `a plurality of dies such as might be used in carrying out a process of forming nuts or other articles, the dies being preferably arranged in a substantially straight line or row, as shown in Fig. 1. The series of stations may include one or more stations in offset relation to the' other stations. Any desiredv number of stations may 550w' be provided, and in the arrangement shown in the drawings, the series includes stations or dies I9, 20, 2|, 22, and 23 extending in a substantially straight row and station 24 which is offset from the row. The station 24 may be in thevform of a cut-01T device or a blank feeding device from which the blanks to be operated upon by the dies I9 to 23 are fed.

My improved transfer mechanism is in the form of a head 25 which, as will beexplained more fully hereinafter, is movable as a unit relative to the frame I5 to bring the transfer mechanism into or out of operative relation to the stations. In general, the transfer mechanism comprises a support 26 having a plurality of work holders 21 thereon for cooperation with the stations and an auxiliary frame member or bracket 28 in which the support 26 is movably mounted. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the bracket 28 may be provided with a pair of spaced guideways 29 which extend vertically above the row of stations when the head 25 is in operative relation thereto. The work holder support 26 is reciprocably mounted in the bracket 28 by being provided with spaced guides 30 which Yslidably operate in the guideways 29.

The support 26 is elongated in the direction in which the row of stations or dies extends and the work holders 21 are mounted thereon in spaced relation corresponding with the spacing of the stations. Each of the work holders 21 comprises a body member 32 having a foot or bracket part 33 upon which a pair of-article engaging fingers 34 and 35 are pivoted. The fingers extend downwardly from the bracket part 33 and adjacent their lower ends are provided with cooperating article engaging portions or jaws 36 appropriately shaped to grippingly cooperate with a blank or article to be handled thereby. The pivoted ends of the fingers are provided with interengaging portions preferably in the form of lugs 31 and 38 through which motion is transmitted from one finger to the other. As shown in Fig. 1, these lugs on the fingers extend toward each other and act as levers such that movement of the lever 35 on its pivot in an article engaging direction will cause similar movement of the finger 34 on its pivot. One of the fingers, for example the finger 35, may also be provided with a lug 39 which extends oppositely from the lug 36 and which is adapted to be acted upon to cause the fingers to move into engagement with the article or blank.

The body member 32 of each holder may also have a hollow spindle part 40 in eccentric relation to the fingers 34 and 35 and extending upwardly from the bracket part 33. The spindle part 40 provides a suitable means for mounting and actuating the holders, and, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, each holder may be mounted on the support 26 for pivotal or swinging movement by having the hollow spindle 40 thereof journaled in vertically spaced bushings 42 provided on the support. A plunger 43 movably mounted in the chamber of the hollow spindle 40 extends downwardly through the body member 32 and engages the actuating lug 39 of the nger 35. A coil spring 44 acts on the plunger 43 and causes the jaws 36 of the article engaging fingers 34 and 35 to be normally urged toward each other.

As seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the holders which cooperate with the stations 20, 2I, 22, and 23 are pivotally mounted on the support 26 with the axes of their spindles 40 located to the right of the stations and substantially midway between rack 54a.

the pairs of stations. Each pair of lingers is offset from the holder spindle 40 a distance which is substantially equal to one-half of the distance between adjacent stations such that when the fingers are .in one extreme position they will be centered with respect to the vertical axis of one die of a given pair of dies, and when the fingers are swung about the axis of the spindle 40 to their other extreme position, they will be centered on the vertical axis of the other die of the pair.

With respect to the stations I9 and 24 with which the holder 21a cooperates, the arrangement is somewhat different because the station 24 is offset from the row of dies I9 to 23. In this instance the offset station 24 has its front face 45 disposed at substantially right angles to the plane containing the front faces of the stations or dies I9 to 23. The face 45 of the station 24 is located to lie slightly to the right of a plane passing through the axis of the spindle of the holder 21a so that by swinging oi the fingers 34 and 35 of this holder through approximately 90 the fingers will, in one extreme position, be centered on the vertical axis of the station I9 and in their other extreme position be centered on the vertical axis lof the cutting or feeding device of the station 24.

The bracket 28 and the support 26 are preferably so located relative to the stations I8 that when the support is moved downwardly in the bracket, the fingers of the holders 21 will be moved into article receiving or discharging positions in fron*J of the stations or dies. In Figs. l and 4, the holders 21 and 21a are shown in their lowered position with their fingers in article discharging position in front of the stations. In this position the blanks or articles are discharged from the fingers after which the support 26 is moved upwardly in the bracket to inove the lingers away from in front of the stations or dies. For causing such reciprocating movement of the support 26 in the bracket 28, I provide suitable actuating means which may be in the form of a pair of laterally spaced racks 41 on the support and a pair of correspondingly spaced pinions 46 cooperating therewith. The pinions may be mounted on a drive shaft 49, which is suitably journaled in the bracket 28 and may be oscillated by means of a lever arm 56 on' the shaft and a vlink 5I connected with the lever and actuated from a suitable cam device or other mechanism.

For causing swinging movement of the fingers of the holders which, as explained above, is desirable for moving the ngers from a position of alignment with one station of a given pair of stations to a position of alignment with the other stationvof the pair, I provide actuating means which may be in the form of a gear member or pinion 53 adjacent the upper end of each of the spindles 40. Another gear member preferably in the form of a reciprocating rack 54, cooperates with the pinions 53 to cause simultaneous rotation of the spindles and corresponding swinging or arcuate movement of the pairs of lingers. The rack 54 may be carried by the bar 55 and actuated from any suitable mechanism or cam device of the machine which will produce the desired timed actuation of this member with respect to the actuation of the link `5I and reciprocation of the support 26.

In connection with the spindle actuating means just described, it will be noted that the spindle of the holder 21a carries a sector 53a insteadof a pinion and that the sector cooperates with a By use of the sector 53a and rack 54a I obtain a desired substantially 90 swing for the holder 21a during the same time interval and by the same-movement of the bar' 55 that producesthe 180 swing of the holders 21.

From the arrangement thus far described, it will be' seen that when the transfer mechanism is put into operation the holders 21 and 21a will cause blanks or articles to be taken in succession from the station 24 and supplied'to the station I9, and then advanced step by step to stations 20, 2|, 22, 23, etc. To explain the cycle of operation which takes place, let it be assumed that all of the holders are in their extreme right-hand position, that is, with the holder 21a in the dotted line position adjacent thestation 45, as indicated in Fig. 3, and the other holders adjacent the stations I9 to 22 respectively. When in this position, the ilngersof the holders pick up or otherwise receive blanks or articles from the stations, the holder 21a receiving a blank from the station and the other holders receiving partially formed articles from their respective stations.

By reason of the timed operation of the apparatus, the link 5| is now actuated and the pinions 48 acting on the racks 41 cause the support 26 to be moved upwardly in the guideways of the bracket 28. This upward movement of the support lifts the holders 21 and "21a upwardly from in front of the stations, with each pair of ngers carrying a blank or article. After the holders have been thus moved upwardly from in front of the stations, the bar 55 is actuated to cause rotation of the spindles 40 by the racks 54 and 54a. This causes the holders to be swung to their extreme left-hand position into alignment with the vertical axes of the other dies or stations of the several pairs. At this time, however, the support 26 is in its uppermost position and the fingers with the blanksvor articles therein are above the row of stations or dies. `The link 5| is then again actuated but this time in a 'direction to cause lowering of the support 26,

which causes the fingers of the holders to be moved downwardly into article discharging position in front of the stations or dies, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. While the holders are in this position, the slide I6 moves forwardly and the punches |1 cause the articles to be at least partially moved out of the ngers and into the stations or dies. At this time the support 26 begins its next upward movement and the ngers of the holders are stripped from the articles which are then carried on into the dies by the punches. When the support 26 has again moved the lingers upwardly away from the stations, the bar 55 is again actuated to swing the ngers of the holders back to their extreme right-hand position, after which the support 26 is again moved downwardly to bring the fingers of the holders into the article receiving position referred to at the beginning of the cycle of operation.

It will be noted that during the operation of my improved transfer mechanism, as just -eX- plained, the arcuate or swinging movement of the fingers of the holders is such as to cause the blanks or articles to be inverted as they are transferred from one die or station to an adjacent station. This inverting of the article is desirablle in some machines and processes, although, as will be explained in connection with a modified form of my mechanism to be described hereinafter, it need not be employed unless desired.

As another feature of my invention, I provide operate properly with the blanks, or in the event a wild or irregular blank is fed to the machine.

v This control means may include a suitable electric switch 56 which, through a relay circuit or other suitable control circuit, may cause the machine to be quickly brought to a stop so that any irregular or incorrectly fed blank will not result in damage to the machine. This switch may be suitably mounted preferably on the transfer mechanism and carried on the reciprocating support 26. The switch may be of the type having an actuating button 51 projecting therefrom. An actuating member 58 elongated in the direction of the support 26 extendsabove the row of spindles 40 and may be carried by corresponding arms of a pair of pivoted levers 59. These levers may be pivotally carried by suitable brackets 60 mounted on the support 26. One of the levers 59 may have an arm 6| extending into cooperating relation with the button 51 of the switch 56 so that upward movement of the actuating member 58 will cause operation of the switch button.

For causing the desired actuation of the member 58, as just explained, I may provide elongated push rods 62 which are located on the r0- tation axes of the spindles 40 and which are of a length to extend upwardly through the hollow spindles from the plunger 43 into adjacent relation to the member 58. With this arrangement it will be seen that if the lingers of any one of the holders 21 or of the'holder 21a engage an irregular blank or improperly engage an article or blank, the ngers will be spread apart farther 4than they would be during their normal operafingers of the holders, but such movement of the rods is not sufficient to cause them the switch actuating member 58.

I have already stated that, during the operation of the transfer mechanism shown in Fig. 1, the blanks or articles are inverted as they are being carried from one station to an adjacent station. In some instances it may not be desirable to have the article inverted, and in such cases I provide novel .means whereby, during the operation of my transfer mechanism, one or more blanks or articles can be advanced from one station to another without being inverted. This novel means is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 as being embodied in transfer mechanism of the type already described. In the arrangement of Figs. 5 and 6, I show article holders 21 and 21h similar to those already described and which are actuated in an identical manner to the corresponding holders of Fig. l. In addition, I show a holder 64 which operates between a pair of stations 65 and 66 but which operates with a rectilineal movement instead of an arcuate movement as in the case of the holders 21 and 21h. This rectilineal movement of the holder 64 causes to engage lil ber 1| of the holder 64.

the blank to be transferred from the station 65 to the station 66 without being inverted.

The holder 64 comprises a pair of fingers 61 and 68 which at their lower ends are provided with article engaging jaws 69 adapted to be urged toward each other as by a suitably arranged tension spring 18. The fingers 61 and 68 are carried by a body member 1| which is mounted for reciprocable lateral sliding movement on the holder support 12. 'Ihis holder support is reciprocable in guideways 28' of a bracket 28' for the same purpose and in the same manner as the support 26. The holders 21 and 21h are provided with actuating spindles 40 which are journaled in the support 12 and are provided adjacent their upper ends with gear members 53. For actuating the holders 64, 21' and 21-b, I provide a. reciprocating bar 13 which corresponds with the bar 55 of Fig. 1. The bar 13 carries rack sections which cooperate with the gear members 53 to cause rotation of the'spindles 48' of the holders 21' and 21h. This bar 13 also carries a pin 14 from which motion is transmitted to the laterally sliding body mem- A similar pin 15 may be provided on the body member 1| and a lever 16 cooperates with the pins to transfer motion from the bar 13 to the member 1|. The lever 16 may be mounted on a pivot 11 which is carried by the support 12, and may have slotted openings 18 adjacent its ends in which the pins 14 and 15 engage.

The arrangement of Fig. '7 is generally similar to that of Figs. and 6 but represents a construction wherein a holder 88 corresponding with the holder 64 is actuated with a rectilineal movement by being directly mounted on thc rack bar 8| instead of being actuated through a pivoted lever such as the lever 16 of Fig. 5. In this arrangement of Fig. 7, the holder 88 is mounted directly on the bar 8| so that the same movement of this bar which causes a desired arcuate movement of adjacent holders 82 and 83 will cause a corresponding rectilineal movement of the holder 88. In this arrangement the spindle 84 of the holder 82 is provided with a pinion 85 with which a rack section 86 of the bar 8| cooperates. 'I'he pinion and rack are so designed that the holder 82 moves `through approximately 180 of arcuate movement in swinging from one extreme position or station to the other, while the same travel of the bar 8| causes rectilineal movement of the holder 88 from one extreme station to the other. The holder 83 corresponds with the holders 21a and 2117 of Figs. 1 and 5 and cooperates with stations 81 and 88 which are relatively offset such that an arcuate travel of approximately 90 is required for movement of this holder from one station to the other This 90 travel is obtained from the same movement of the bar 8| which causes 180 travel of the holder 82 and the desired rectilineal movement of the holder 80. This is obtained by providing the spindle 8,9 of the holder 83 with a gear sector or segment 98 with which a rack section 9| of the bar 8| cooperates.

Reverting to Figs. 2 and 4 for a brief description of the unit mounting of my transfer mechanism, it will be observed that the bracket 28 has spaced arms 93 which, by means of a transverse shaft 94 and spaced shaft supports 95, are hinged to the frame I5. The hinge connection with the frame, as thus provided, allows the transfer mechanism to be swung as a head or unit away from adjacent the 'dies to more readily permit work on the dies or on the transfer mechanism.

I desire it to be understood that my transfer mechanism may be used with stations which are equally or unequally spaced. In this connection it will be noted that in Fig. 1 the spacing of the station I9 from the station 24 is greater than the spacing between the other pairs of stations, and that the distance which the ngers 21a are offset from their spindle axis is correspondingly greater.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, it will now be readily seen that I have provided improved transfer mechanism which has been found to be very eililcient and reliable, and which is very suitable for use in connection with numerous machines and processes, such as nut making machines and the like. It will be seen further that with the novel transfer mechanism which I have provided the holders can be actuated with an arcuate movement of any desired extent, or can be actuated with a rectilineal movement, depending upon the manner in which it is desired to have the blanks or articles handled. It will be seen further that this novel transfer mechanism adapts itself to any desired combination of such arcuate and rectilineal movements for the article holders. It will be understood further that in my novel mechanism the holders and the supporting and actuating means therefor are in the form of a head which is adapted to be moved as a unit relative to the stations or dies with which the mechanism cooperates.

While I have illustrated and described my improved transfer mechanism in a more or less detailed manner, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited to the precise arrangements and combinations herein disclosed but regard the invention as including such modications and arrangements as do not constitute a departure from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of stations lying in or adjacent a given plane, a plurality of article holders, and means pivoting said holders between stations for arcuate swinging movement in a plane extending substantially normal to said given plane.

2. In apparatus of the character described. a plurality of stations, a plurality of article holders, and means providing for arcuate movement of the holders for the transfer of Varticles from one station to another with one holder` moving through a different extent of arcuate travel than another.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of stations one of which lies in a plane disposed at an angle to that of the other stations, article holders cooperating with said stations and adapted for yarcuate movement, and means whereby the holder cooperating with said one station has a different extent of arcuate movement than the other holders.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of stations, an article holder adapted for reciprocating movements adjacent each station and arcuate travel between stations, and means operatively mounting said holder for such reciprocating and arcuate movements.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pair of stations, an article holder for transferring articles from one station to the other, and actuating means for said holdfrom each station and means for causing swinging of the holder from a position substantially in alignment with one station to a positionsubstantially in alignment with the other after each succession of such reciprocating movements.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pair of stations, an article holder for transferring articles'irom one station to the other, and actuating means for said holder including means for causing successive article engaging or disengaging substantially rectilineal reciprocating movements of the holder adjacent each station and means for `causing arcuate translatory travel of the holder from one station to the other after each succession of such reciprocating movements.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pair of stations, an article holder for transferring articles from one station to f the other, and actuating means for said holder including means for causing successive reciprocating movements of the holder adjacent each station and means for causing swinging of the holder in a plane which extends substantially normal to the direction of said reciprocating f movements and fromA one station to the other after each succession of such reciprocating movements.

8. A transfer mechanism for moving articles from one station to another comprising a reciprocable support, article holders on said support, means for reciprocating said support to cause corresponding reciprocating'movements of. the holders relative to said stations, said holders each comprising a mounting and operating spindle journaled on the support and an arm extending from the spindle and provided with article engaging means and being movable relative to said support, whereby the article engaging means are swung in a plane extending substantially normal to the axes of said spindles, and means for causing substantially simultaneous movement of the holders relative to the support.

9. A transfer mechanism for moving articles from one station to another comprising a reciprocable support, article holders on said support,

means for reciprocating said support to cause corresponding reciprocating movements of the holders relative to said stations, said holders being pivotally mounted on said support, and means for causing substantially simultaneous swinging of the holders relative to said support and in a plane which extends substantially normal to the direction of said reciprocating movements.

`10. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of stations lying in or adjacent a given plane, and transfer mechanism for -moving articles from one station to another comprising an article holder pivoted substantially midway between each pairof stations and adapted to be swung from one station of the pair to the other in a plane extending substantially normal to the iirst mentioned plane, and means for causing such swinging of the article holders.

11. In apparatus -of the character described, a plurality of stations, and transfer mechanism for moving articles from one station toanother comprising a plurality of article holders each having a spindle ad a relatively offset article engaging part, means mounting said spindles intermediate the stations wherebyK the offset part stations, and means cooperating with the spindles for swinging the holders.

12. In` apparatus of the character described, a plurality of stations, and transfer mechanism for moving articles from one station to another comprising a plurality of article holders each the combination of means providing a plurality of'stations, a plurality of article holders each having a hollow spindle and a pair of article engaging fingers offset relative to the axis of the spindle, springs in said hollow spindles adapted to act on said fingers, means mounting said spindles intermediate the stations whereby each pair of fingers may be swung from one station to an adjacent station, and means vcooperating with said spindles to actuate the holders.

14. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of means providing a plurality of stations, a plurality of article holders each having a hollow spindle and a pair of article engaging fingers oifset relative to the axis of the spindle, springs in said hollow spindles adapted to act on said fingers, means mounting said spindles intermediate the stations whereby each pair of fingers may be swung from one station to an adjacent station, means cooperating with said spindles to actuate the holders, an electric controlswitch adjacent said holders and having an actuating member, and means associated with said holders and cooperating with said switch member and adapted to cause actuation of the switch in response to a predetermined movement of any pair of said ngers.

15. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of means providing a plurality of stations, a plurality of article holders each having a hollow spindle and a pair of article engaging lingers offset relative to the axis of the spindle, springs in said hollow spindles adapted to act on said ngers, means mounting said spindles intermediate the stations whereby each pair of fingers may be swung from one station to an adjacent station, means cooperating with said spindles to actuate the holders, 4an

electric control switch having an actuating member extending adjacent said spindles, and means associated with the fingers of each holder and responsive to a predetermined movement thereof including a part projecting from each spindle and into cooperating relation with said switch actuating member.

16. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a series of dies, a support movable relative to said dies, a plurality of article holders pivoted on said support at points intermediate the dies, each holder having article dies and movable into and out of article engaging position by the reciprocating movement of said support, means pivoting said holders on said support at spaced points substantially midway between the dies, means for reciprocating said support, and means for swinging said holders.

18. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a frame having a series of dies thereon, a slide operable in said frame and carrying punches for cooperation with said dies, a support on said frame and adapted for movement toward and from said dies, a plurality of article holders spaced to correspond substantially with the spacing of said dies and adapted to be moved into and out of article receiving and discharging position in front of said dies by the movement of said support, means pivoting said holders on said support at points intermediate the dies, and means operable to swing theholders while they are removed from in front of the dies.

19. In apparatus of the character described, a frame having a series of dies thereon, a head comprising a plurality of swinging article holders 'including correspondingly spaced pivots 1ocated substantially midway between the dies spaced to correspond substantially with the spacing of said dies and means for supporting and operating said holders, and means mounting said head on said frame for movement as a unit into and out of operative relation to the dies.

20. In transfer mechanism, an article holder comprising a rotatable mounting and operating spindle having an arm extending therefrom in angular relation to the axis of the spindle and a pair of cooperating fingers carried by said arm.

21. In transfer mechanism, an article holder comprising a mounting and operating spindle having an arm extending therefrom substantially at right angles to the axis of the spindle, a pair of ngers pivoted on said arm and having article engaging portions, means interconnecting said ngers whereby motion is transmitted from one nger to the other, and spring means acting on one of said lingers.`

22. In transfer Vmechanism, an article holder comprising a body member having a bracket part and a hollow pivot part eccentric thereto, a pair of lngers pivoted on said bracket part and interconnected With each other, and spring means in said hollow pivot adapted to act on one of said fingers.

23. In a transfer mechanism, a holder comprising a pair of cooperating movable article engaging lingers and means for shifting such pair of ngers from one station to another, an electric switch, and means responsive to a predetermined movement of the article ngers for actuating said switch.

24. In a transfer mechanism, a body member having a pair of cooperating article engaging fingers thereon, said body member having a pivot part, a control device having an actuating member, and means disposed substantially on the axis of said pivot part and adapted to cause operation of said control actuating member in response to a predetermined movement of said ngers.

25. In combination, a row of spaced dies, a support movable toward and from said row of dies, a member mounted on said support for movement substantially parallel with the row of dies, and a pair of article holders on said support for actuation by said member from one die position to another, one holder being mounted for rectilineal movement in the direction of said row and the other being mounted for swinging movement, said holders being movable into and out of article engaging position in front of the dies by movement of said support.

26. In apparatus of the character described, a die block, a pair of dies adjacent one face of the block, an article holder, and means mounting said holder to swing outwardly from the block from one die position to the other.

27. In apparatus of the character described, a die block, a pair of dies adjacent one face of the block, an article holder having a spindle and f an arm extending angularly therefrom and provided with article engaging means, and means rotatably mounting said spindle intermediate the dies for swinging of said arm outwardly from the block from one die position to another.

LEE A. FRAYER. 

